Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 02743 — Acushnet, MA

ZIP code 02743 (Acushnet, Bristol County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 02743 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 29
First frostOct 15
2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Acushnet, MA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Acushnet, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station New Bedford Municipal Airport, MA — 4 miles away, elevation 79 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 02743

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 15) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 02743 came on Apr 6 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Acushnet, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02743 is Sudbury — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sudbury fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 02743; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Acushnet, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 JulAugust: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Bedford Municipal Airport, MA (4 mi away); precipitation: New Bedford Municipal Airport, MA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

027457a
New Bedford, MA · 3 mi
027467a
New Bedford, MA · 4 mi
027707a
Rochester, MA · 5 mi
027397a
Mattapoisett, MA · 5 mi
027407a
New Bedford, MA · 5 mi
027417a
New Bedford, MA · 5 mi
027427a
New Bedford, MA · 5 mi
027197a
Fairhaven, MA · 5 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 02743

What planting zone is ZIP code 02743?

ZIP code 02743 (Acushnet, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Acushnet, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02743 is April 29; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Bedford Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Acushnet, MA?

The median first fall frost near 02743 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02743?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02743 get?

About 45.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Bedford Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Acushnet, MA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02743 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sudbury at the center of ZIP 02743: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Acushnet, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02743 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Acushnet, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02743 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02743 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02743 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.